Releases updated versions of its two negative lists

On 23 June 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) jointly released Order No.32 of 2020, Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access (2020 edition) (“Negative List for Foreign Investment Access”) and Order No.33 of 2020, Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access in Pilot Free Trade Zones (2020 Edition) (“FTZ Negative List”). Both lists replace the respective earlier versions of 2019 and entered into force on 23 July 2020. Compared with the 2019 editions, the Negative List for Foreign Investment Access and the FTZ Negative List contain fewer items; in particular, the new lists lift restrictions in sectors such as financial services, manufacturing, agriculture, radioactive mineral smelting, and in the pharmaceutical sector.

• Type:

  • Entry and establishment (Ownership and control)

• Industry:

  • Primary (Agriculture, forestry and fishing)
  • Manufacturing
  • Services (Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, Financial and insurance activities, Scientific research and development, Human health activities)

• Sources:

  • Lexology, China announced the 2020 Negative Lists for Foreign Investment Access, https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=97f45d84-7f3c-4888-a0af-1d00d8bcb478, 13 Jul 2020
  • China Briefing, China’s 2020 New Negative Lists Signal Further Opening-Up, https://www.china-briefing.com/news/chinas-2020-new-negative-lists-signals-further-opening-up/, 01 Jul 2020
  • XinhuaNet, China releases new negative lists for foreign investment, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-06/24/c_139164447.htm, 24 Jun 2020